Telltale indicator



Sept 8 1936- T. w. HALLERBERG Y 2,053,8,26

TELLTALE INDICATOR Filed oon. 2,' 1955 e sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Sept 8 1935 T. W. 'HALLERBERG 2,053,826

l TELLTALE INDICATOR Filed Oct. 2, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheetl 2 lSPt- 8, 1936-T. w. HALLERBERG l 2,053,8.26

TELLTALE INDICATOR Filed oct. 2, 1955 e sheets4s'heet s GEH OIL TEMPINVEN'ToR.'

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SePt- 8, 1935- T. W. HALLERBEG 2,053,826

' TELLTALE INDICATOR Filed Oct. 2,` 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Sept. 8, 1936. T. W. HALLERBERG TELLTAL-E INDICATOR e sheets-sheet 5'Filed 001:. 2, 1935 N E G INVENTOR.

sept. s, 1936. T W HALLERBERG 2,053,826

TELLTALE INDICATOR Filed Oct. 2, 1933 6 SheGVS-SheefI 6 INVENTOR.

Fatenteol Sept. 8 'i936 aesasze f 'rentrera marca Theodore W.llilallerberg, Madison, Wis.

Application (bctober 2, 1933, Serial No. 691,783 s claims. (ci. rrr-311) With the increase in speed of motor vehicles and the like, itbecomes dangerous for the operator to take his eyes ofi the road longenough to read the various pointer and dial type indicators 5 nowgenerally used. Therefore, the object of this invention is to vprovide atype of indicator which the operator Will be able to read at a glancewhen determining whether or not the important units are functioningproperly.

A further object of the invention is to reduce the indicator panel glareat night, now caused by the illumination of the many pointer and dialtype indicators generally used, by providing an indicator displaying a.subdued light when the 15 important units are functioning properly anddisplaying a bright light when some unit ceases to function properly,thereby automatically attracting the attention of the operator when itis needed. 20 A further object of the invention is to rprovide a singletelltale indicator, easily readable at a glance, informing the operatorby means of colored lights of different intensitiesy and colors whetheror not all of the important units are functioning properly, andassociated with the telltale indicator, source indicators normallydarkened and becoming illuminated only when the corresponding unit isnot functioning properly and the telltale indicator is displaying theWarning signal.

A further object of the invention is to provide an indicator which willgive separate indications forsatisfactory and unsatisfactory operatingconditions of the included units, and in case of failure of the lightsource it will become apparent by the absence of an indication. v

A further object of the invention it to utilize the light source of themeans' of the invention to g also illuminate adjacent instruments suchas the speedometer, clock and the like.

The invention is fully described in the following specification, andwhile itis capable of embodimentin various forms, a suitable embodimentthereof is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Figure 1 shows an indicator panel incorporating one form of theinvention. Figure 2 shows another indicator panel incorporating amodified form of the invention with additional features of indicatorpanel incorporating additional fea.- turesv of the invention.

Figures 4 to 8 show one form of the indicator illustrated in the panelassembly of Figure 1 and 55A designated A. Figure 4 is a front view ofthe inthereof. Figure 3 shows a more elaborate form dicator, showing thepreferred arrangement of the telltale in-dicator and the sourceindicators. Figure 5 is a rear view thereof. Figure `6 is a Viewdirectly behind the face of the indicator, showing the arrangement ofthe component parts. Figure 7 is a sectional View of the indicator takenabout the vertical center line l-l of Figure 4. Figure 8 is a wiringdiagram of the indicator shown in Figures '4 to '7.

Figures 9 to 13 show a modied form of the indicator shown in Figures 4to 8. Figure 9 is a front View of the indicator, and is similar toFigure 4. Figure 10 is a rear View thereof. Figure 11 is a view directlybehind the face of the indicator, showing the arrangement of thecomponent parts. Figure 12 is a sectional view of the indicator takenabout thevertical center line l2-l2 of Figure 9. Figure 13 is a wiringdiagram of the indicator shown in Figures 9 to 12.

Figures 14 to 18 show the indicators used in the panel assembly ofFigure 2. Figure 14 is a secti'onal View of the telltale indicator takenabout its vertical center line. Figure 15 is a view on line Iii-l5 ofFigure 14. Figure 16 is a front view of the source indicator showing thepreferred arrangement of the different indicators. Figure 17 is a viewdirectly behind the face of the source indicator showing the arrangementof the component parts. Figure 18 isa wiring diagram of the telltaleindicator and the source indicator shown in Figures 14 to 17.

Figures 19 to 24 show the individual source indicators used in the panelassembly of Figure 3. Figure 19 is a rear view of the light intercepterassembly. Figure 20 is a side view thereof. Figure 21 is a bottom Viewof Figure 19. Figure 22 is a rear view of the semaphore assembly. Figure23 is a sectional view of the lens assembly. Figure 24 is a Wiringdiagram of the telltale indicator and source indicators shownin thelpanel assembly of Figure 3.

Figures 25 to 29 show the various electrical switches used inconjunction with the indicators. Figure 25 is a sectional view of thefluid pressure controlled switch which may be operated by the engine oilpressure or the compressed air pressure. Figure 26 is a part sectionalView of the generator relay switch which may be operated by the ow ofcurrent generated by the generator. Figure 27 is a sectional View of oneform of engine temperature switch, in this case controlled by theexpansion and contraction of a volatile fluid. Figure 28 is a modifiedform of engine temperature switch, in this case controlled by theexpansion and contraction of a thermostatic metal lns or bimetal spiral.Figure 29 is a sectional view of Figure 28 taken about the center line29-29 of Figure 28.

Although the-source indicators are marked Oil, Generator and the like,in various views in order to facilitate reading the drawings and wiringdiagrams, I wish it understood that the indicators are not limited tothe units so indicated.

In Figure 1 the means of thelnvention is shown to the left anddesignated A. This indicator is shown in detail in Figures 4 to 13. 'Ihetelltale indicator designated B in Figure 2, and the source indicatordesignated C are shown in detail in Figures 14 to 18. 'I'he telltaleindicator for the lighting circuits designated Ba. is described in myElectric lighting circuit monitorv application Serial No. 596,827. Thetelltale indicator designated B in Figure 3 is identical to theindicator B of Figure 2. 'I'he source indicators designated D, E, F, andG are shown in detail in Figures 19 to 23, also in the wiring diagram ofFigure 24. Indicator designated H has preferably a clear lens and inthis case may be connected with the lighting circuits as described in myapplication Serial No. 596,827. Indicator designated J has preferablyayellow lens and in this oase may be connected with the centralizedlubricating system and operated by a switch in the speedometer.Indicator designated K has preferably a green lens and in this case maybe connected with the pumping unit of the centralized lubricatingsystem. The indicators J and K are also shown in the wiring diagram ofFigure 24 and are shown in the form of lamps in the wiring diagram ofFigure 1 in my application Serial No. 579,639.

Indicator designated D in Figure 3 has pre1'- erably a red lens and inthis case may be connected with the generator. Indicator designated Ehas preferably a red lens and in this case may be connected with theengine oil line. Indicator designated F has preferably a clear lens andin this case may be connected with the engine temperature switch.Indicator designated G has preferably a red lens and in this case may beconnected with the compressed air supply. The telltale indicator B iselectrically connected with the source indicators D, E, F, and G asshown in the wiring diagram of Figure 24.

Referring to Figures 4 to 8, the indicator shown comprises a body I tothe front side of which a cover glass 2 is held in place by the retainer3. Behind the cover glass is the face 4 into which four lenses areinserted; the telltale lens 5 and the lower source indicator lens 6 arepreferably of clear glass while the lenses 1 and 8 are preferably red.Behind the face of the indicator are two semaphores 9 and I0, also twolight intercepters II and I2. The semaphore 9 has two color filtersinserted therein, filter I3 being preferably green while filter I4 ispreferably red. Semaphore I0 also has two color filters insertedtherein, filter I5 being preferably red while filter I6 is preferablyyellow. A spiral spring I1 urges the semaphore 9 to the position shownin Figure 6. Various stops I8 are provided to limit the travel of thesemaphores and light intercepters. A long pin I9 securely fastened tothe semaphore 9 cuacts with the arms-20, 20a, and20b. Arcuate armatures2|, 2Ia, 2Ib, and 2Ic form part of the semaphore I0 and lightintercepters I I and I2 and pass through the solenoids 22, 22a, 22h, and22e respectively. A lamp 23 is placed behind the semaphores and lightintercepters, preferably in line with the telltale lens 5. The lampsocket -24 is removable in order to permit replacement of the lamp whennecessary. Terminal screws 25 are provided for connecting the outsidewiring to the indicator.

All green color filters are preferably of a subdued green shade enablingthem to display a subdued green light at their corresponding lens whileall red filters are preferably of a bright red enabling them to displaya bright red light at their corresponding lens.

In the wiring diagram Figure 8, a source of electrical current is shownin the form of a battery 26. Current passes to the instrument, renderingit operative whenever the switch 21 is closed. 'I'he ignition switch maybe used advantageously in place of the switch designated 21. Thetemperature switch has two separate contactors designated 28 and 28a,fluid pressure switch 29 and generator relay switch 30 together with thetemperature switch are described in detail elsewhere.

In Figures 9 to 13 I have shown a modified form of the indicator shownin Figures 4 to 8. The modified form of indicator comprises a body 3l,with the front cover glass 32 held in place by the retainer 33. Thefront of the face 4 shown in Figure 9 is identical to that of Figure 4.Behind the face 4 are two semaphores 34 and 31. also two lightintercepters 40 and 4I. The semaphore 34 has two color filters insertedtherein, filter 35 being preferably green while lter 36 is preferablyred. The semaphore 31 also has two color lters inserted therein, thefilter 38 being preferably red while the filter 39 is preferably yellow.Spiral springs 42 urge the semaphores to the positions shown in Figurell. Arcuate armatures 34a, 43, 43a, 43h, and 43C are part of thesemaphores 34 and 31 and light intercepters 4D and 4I and pass throughthe solenoids 44, 45, 45a, 45h, and 45o respectively.

The telltale indicator shown in Figures 14 and 15 comprises a body 46,also a cover 41 into which is securely fastened the lens body 48threaded as shown and provided with a lock washer 49 and a nut 5I] forfastening the indicator to the panel 5I shown by dotted lines. To thefront of the lens body 48 is the lens 52, preferably of clear glass,securely held in place by the threaded retainer 53. A washer 54 isinterposed betwen the lens 52 and the lens body 48. Behind the lens body48 and inside the indicator body 46 is the semaphore 55 into which threecolor filters are inserted; filter 56 being preferably yellow and filter51 being preferably green while filter 58 is preferably red. The doublearl cuate armatures 59 and 59a are attached to the semaphore 55 and passthrough the solenoids 60 and 60a. A spiral spring 6I urges the semaphore55 to the central position shown in Figure 15. 'A lamp 23 is placedbehind the semaphore preferably in line with lens 52. The lamp socket 24is removable in order to permit replacement of the lamp when necessary.Light openings 62 are provided in order to permit the lamp 23 to alsoilluminate the adjacent instruments. Solenoid 80a is preferably ofgreater magnetic strength than solenoid 6U.

The source indicator shown in Figures 16 and 17 is similar inconstruction to the indicator shown in Figures 9 to 12 with theexception that a red lens 63 is used in place of the tell-tale lens 5and a light intercepter 64 is used in place of the semaphore 34.Transparent covers 65 are placed over the openings 66 in order to permitrays of light from the lamp 23 to illuminate the adjacent indicators.Arcuate armature tl is a' portion ci the light intercepter ed and passesthrough the solenoid te. lin the wiring diagram of Figure i8, the iiuidpressure operated switch t@ may be con nected with the compressed airsupply.

The source indicators used in the panel assembly of Figure 3 are shownin detail in Figures i9 to 24. The light intercepter shown in Figures i9to 21 comprises a base 'lo to which the light intercepter li ispivotally mounted. The arcuate armature l2 is part o1 the intercepter'ii and passes through the solenoid it. A spiral spring lil urges theintercepter to the position shown in Figure 19. Screws lo are providedlfor fastening the assembly to the indicator panel it. Inserted from thefront side oi the panel are the lens assem blies ll.

Figure 22 shows a semaphore assembly cornprising a base "le to which thesemaphore il@ is pivotally mounted. into the semaphore are inserted twocolor filters; filter B being preferably red while filter iii ispreferably yellow. .arcuate armatures 82 and tito, are part of thesemaphore and pass through the solenoids e3 and die. A spiral spring dfiurges the semaphore to the central position shown in Figure 22.

Figure 23 shows an enlarged sectional view of the lens assembly which isinserted from the front side of the indicator panel. The assemblycomprises a, body 35 into which the lens Sii is securely fastened. Thelenses may be of different colors, some being green, yellow or red whileothers may be preferably clear.

The iluid pressure controlled switch shown in Figure 25 and designated2s and @t in the wiring diagrams comprises a body B3 threaded at thelower end and recessed at the upper end as shown. Into the recess isinserted a exible diaphragm B9 above which is the stationary contactelement gli iitted tightly into the body 33. The movable contact element@i vis threaded at the upper end to receive the terminal screw 32. Aspring 93 urges the movable contact element 9i towards the stationarycontact element. 9). A stud @l is inserted through the hole in thestationary contact element, and is preferably made of fibre or othernon-conducting material. preferably made of fibre or othernon-conducting material. The passage et permits the fluid under pressureto exert pressure against the diaphragm 39. Movement of the diaphragm istransmitted through the stud tl to the movable contact element di. Theswitch is normally electrically closed as shown in Figure 25. Currentpasses from the lead-in wire to the terminal 92, to the movable contactelement t i to the stationary contact element so, to the switch body d3which is grounded. As soon as the fluid pressure reaches a predeterminedamount, diaphragm its bulges upward rais ing the stud 3l and the movablecontact element Si, thereby breaking the electrical contact. As soon asthe iiuid pressure falls below the predetermined amount, spring againmoves the mov= able contact element downward against the stationarycontact element thereby electrically closing the switch. k

The generator relay switch shown in Figure 26 and designated @t in thewiring diagrams, may be attached to the generator or other groundedunit. It comprises a solenoid e@ with the ends of the windings attachedto the terminals tl and se. The terminal @l may be wired to thegenerator while the terminal 98 is wired to the battery. Terminal 99 iswired to the associated indicator, and also wired to the stationarycontact element rhe cover 943 is also4 which is electrically insulatedfrom the switch assembly. The spring urged movable contact element itiis in contact with the switch assembly which is grounded, and normallyassumes the position shown in Figure 26, thereby grounding the currententering through the terminal se. Current generated by the generatorpasses through the solenoid Slt, energizing it, thereby drawing themovable Contact member lili towards it, breaking the electrical contactat iut. `When the generator ceases charging, the solenoid il@ willbecome deenergized, permitting the movable contact member itl to raise,thereby electrically closing 'the contacts et lo@ and again groundingthe current entering through the terminal its.

The volatile fluid controlled engine temperature switch shown in Figure27 and designated 2d in the wiring diagrams may be screwed into the enAgine cylinder bloei; or cylinder head. The switch vcomprises a'bdy ill,preferably made oi alunninum, threaded at the lower end and recessed asshown. Ilwo cups lofi and ids made preferably of spring bronze, arefitted together and hermeticaily sealed with the volatile fluid tilttherein. The cup itil is preferably made of heavier material than thecup ille. To the left of cup lili is a spacer washer lill. The washer itsecurely fastened to the body tilt is preferably fibre or othernonconducting material, and has the stationary contact member loi)securely fastened thereto. The terminal il@ is threaded into thestationary contact member as shown. To the right of cup tile is thestationary contact member l i i. The movable contact member H2 isthreaded to receive the terminal screw lit and is urged towards thestationary contact member by the spring iid. Pin iid is loosely ttedthrough the hole in the stationary member lil. The cover iid ispreferably made of fibre or other non-conducting material. The passagelil is for air passage only and serves no definite purpose.

The switch is normally closed to terminal tie and open to terminal lidas shown. As the volatile iiuid litt expands due to the absorptionoiheat. it 'first bulges the thin cup Mib, exerting pressure on pin lilland moving the movable contact member llt away from the stationarycontact member iii breaks the electrical contact. Fun ther expansion ofthe volatile fluid due to the absorption of additional heat, bulges theheavier cup iili, thereby making electrical contact be tween it and thestationary contact member idd. As the volatile iiuid contracts duringcooling, cup tot will first return to normal position, thereby breakingthe electrical contact with the stationary contact member idd. Furthercooling and con,- traction of the volatile duid will permit the cup iiito return to normal position, thereby again making electrical contactbetween members iii and itil.

The thermostatic metal, or blmetal controlled engine temperature switchshown in Figures 28 and 29 and designated it in the wiring diagrams,`

serves the same purpose as switch shown in Figure ti. Either type ofswitch may be used to accomplish the desired eiiect. ln this switch, thebody liti, preferably made of aluminum, is threaded at the lower end andrecessed at the upper end as shown. A spiral it@ of thermostatic metal,or bimetal, ls securely held at its center by the screw me, permittingthe outer end to move with the expansion and contraction due to heatabsorption. into the body il@ are threaded two studs H22 and 622e, whichare electrlcally insulated from the body by the collars V|2| and |2|awhich are preferably made of fibre or other non-conducting material. Theends of the studs |22 and |22a serve as stationary contactors |23 and|23a. The outer end of the spiral ||9 serves as the movable contacter.The cover |24 is screwed to the body ||8 and provides accessibility forinspection and adjustment. The passage |25 is for air passage only andserves no definite purpose.

The switch is normally electrically closed to terminal stud |22a andopen to terminal stud |22, As the spiral H9 tends to straighten out vdueto the heat absorption, contact is first broken between the spiral ||9and stud |23a, further movement of the spiral due to the absorption otadditional heat, causes contact to be made between the spiral H9 'andthe stud |23. Upon contraction' of the spiral ||9 contact is firstbroken at stud |23; upon additional contraction, contact is again madeat stud |23a. Temperature range adjustment is provided by loosening thescrew |20 and setting the spiral to the desired position, also byscrewing the terminal studs |22 and |22a in or out as desired.

The engine temperature switches are so constructed to permit adjustmentas to preferably allow for a normal operating temperature range of fromapproximately one-hundred to two- .hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Belowthis range,

contacts would be electrically closed grounding terminals H6 or |22a;above this range, contacts would be closed grounding terminals |||l or|22, whereas within the range the switches would be electrically open.

In operation, the instrument shown in Figures 4 to 8 is wired as shownin the wiring diagram of'Figure 8, and is rendered operative wheneverthe switch 2l' is closed. It is desirable to use the ignition switchforthe switch 2. The electrical current flows from the battery 26 throughswitch 21, through lamp 23 which is grounded. 'With the switch 2 closedand the engine not running, there would be no oil pressure and the"generator would not be generating current, in

which case the telltale indicator 5 would display a bright red light,the source indicators 'l and 8 would also display a red light, and, ifthe engine temperature be below the normal operating range, the sourceindicator 6 would display a yellow light. With the engine running, withsuflicient oil pressure and the generator generating current, thetelltale 5 would display a subdued green light while the sourceindicators 1 and 8 would be darkened. Source indicator would continue todisplay a yellow light until the engine temperature reaches the normaloperating range, when it also would become darkened. It is apparent thatwith the switch 2'! closed and the engine not started, the operator isable to check the indicator in order to determine whether or not it isfunctioning properly. Under normal operating conditions with theincluded units functioning properly, the telltale indicator will displaya subdued green light which the operator is able to read at a glance,thereby informing him that all of the included units are functioningproperly.

As soon as the oil pressure becomes too low, or the generator ceasesgenerating current, or the engine temperature raises to above the normaloperating range, the telltale indicator 5 will immediately change fromdisplaying a subdued green light to displaying a bright red light,thereby automatically attracting the attention' of the operator when itis needed. One or more of the source indicators 6, l, or 8 would alsodisplay a red light informing the operator which unit it is, that is notfunctioning properly.

Referring to the wiring diagram of Figure 8 it is apparent that solenids22, 22a, 22h, and 22e are connected to the source of current when theswitch 2l is closed. Lamp 23 also connected to the source of currentwhen the switch 2l is closed, becomes illuminated, due to its beinggrounded. Under normal operating conditions, with the included unitsfunctioning properly, switches 28, 28a, 29, and 30 are electricallyopen, andthe semaphores 9 and l0 and light intercepters and I2 assumethe positions shown in Figure 6.

Under normal operating conditions. but with. the engine temperaturebelow the normal operating range, switch 28a is electrically closedcompleting the circuit through the solenoid 22, energizing the solenoid,thereby moving the armature 2| and the semaphore in a clock-wisedirection until it rests against one of the stops I8, therebypositioning the yellow filter I6 in line with the clear lens permittingthe light rays from lamp 23 to pass through lter |6 to lens 6 causinglens (i to display a yellow light. During this movement of semaphore l0,the arm 20 recedes from the pin i9, thereby not affecting the positionof the semaphore 9. As soon as the engine temperature reaches the normaloperating range, contact at switch 28a is again broken permitting thesemaphore to return to the central position shown in Figure 8, therebydarkening lens 6.

When, under operating'conditions, the engine temperature rises to beyondthe normal operating range, the switch 28 becomes electrically closedcompleting the circuit through the solenoid 22a, energizing thesolenoid, thereby moving the armature 2|a and the semaphore ll'i in acounterclockwise direction, positioning the red filter I5 in line withthe clear lens permitting the light rays from lamp 23 to pass throughlter l5 to lens 6, causing lens 6 to display a red light. During thismovement of semaphore I0, the arm 20 moves pin |9 and semaphore 9 to theleft, positioning the green filter |3 out of register with the telltalelens 5 and the red lter I4 in register with the lens 5, changing thecolor displayed by the telltale lens 5 from a subdued green to a brightred. As soon as the engine temperature falls to within the normaloperating range, switch 28 will again break contact, permitting thesemaphores 9 and to return t0 the positions shown in Figure 6.

Under operating conditions, with the proper engine oil pressure, theswitch 29 will be electrically open and the light intercepter wouldassume the position shown in Figure 6, thereby preventing the light raysof lamp 23 from reaching the lens As soon as the oil pressure fallsbelow the predetermined amount, the Contact at switch 29 would becomeelectrically closed completing the circuit through the solenoid 2227,energizing the solenoid, thereby moving the armature 2|b and the lightintercepter in a counter clockwise direction, permitting the light raysfrom the lamp 23 to illuminate the lens 7.l During this movement of thelight intercepter the arm 20a moves pin I9 and semaphore 9 to the left,positioning the green filter I3 out of register with the telltale lens 5and the red filter i4 in registery with the lens 5, changing the colordisplayed by the telltale lens 5 from a subdued green to a bright red.As soon as the engine oil pressure again reaches the normal range,contact at switch aosaecc 25 is again broken permitting the semaphore sand the light intercepter i l to return to the positions shown in Figure6, causing the telltale lens to again display a subdued green light anddarkening the lens l'.

The operation of the indicator d is identical to that of indicator l,with the exception that the circuit is controlled by the switch Sil.

ln the modiiied form of indicator shown in Figures 9 to i3, the telltalesemaphore 3@ is actuated magnetically, whereas in the indicator shown inFigures 4 to 8 the semaphore il was actuated mechanically. Referring tothe wiring diagram of Figure 13 it is apparent that the current passingthrough the solenoids d5, 65a, and F350 must necessarily rst passthrough the solenoid lili. Current passing through solenoid ith does notpass through the solenoid til. Under normal operating conditions,current passes from the battery 2t through the switch 2l to the lamp 23which is grounded; if the included units be functioning properly, butthe engine temperature be below the normal operating range, switch 28awill be electrically closed completing the circuit through the solenoidlith, energizing the solenoid, thereby moving the armature i3 and thesemaphore 3l in a lclockwise direction, positioning the yellow lter 3Qin line with the lens t, permitting the light. rays from the lamp 23 topass 'through the iilter 39 to lens causing lens t to display a yellowlight. This operation in no way affects the semaphore Vitil.A In theevent one or more of the switches 28, 2li or 3i) be closed, the currentwill iiow from the battery 2li through the switch il, through thesolenoid lill, through one or more of the solenoids 45, @5a or 45e,through one or more of the closed switches 28, 29 or Sil which aregrounded. In so doing the semaphore 3B would move to the left from theposition shown in Figure l1, thereby changing the light displayed by thetelltale lens 5 from a subdued green to a bright red; one or more oi thelight intercepters @il and #il and semaphore 3l would also change itsposition, thereby indicating red at the corresponding indicator 6, 'l or8, depending upon the corresponding switch or switches that be closed.

Referring to the wiring diagram of Figure 18, it is apparent that thecurrent passing through the solenoids 35, da, 50, and 68 mustnecessarily 'lrst pass through the solenoid ila, whereas the currentpassing through the solenoid lith* must necessarily first pass throughthe solenoid tt. Under normal operating conditions, current passes fromthe battery 23 through the switch 2l to the lamps 23 which are grounded;if the included units be functioning properly, but the enginetemperature be below the normal operating range, switch 23a will beelectrically closed com pleting the circuit through the solenoids 593and 351), energizing the solenoids, thereby moving the armature di! andthe semaphore 55 in a counterv clockwise direction, positioning theyellow filter to in line with the lens 52 shown in Figure lli,permitting the light rays from the lamp 23 to pass through the lter 56onto lens 52, causing lens t2 to display a yellow light armature i3 andsemaphore 3l are also moved, but in a clockwise direction, positioningthe yellow filter 3@ in line with the lens t of Figure 16, causing lensil to also display a yellow light. lin the event that one or more of theswitches 29, 3l) or t@ be closed while switch Zta is still closed, thesolenoid @to being of greater magnetic strength than solenoid til,

would overcome the pull of solenoid t@ thereby moving the armature @toand semaphore 5d in a clockwise direction, positioning the red iilter 58in line with the lens c2 of Figure 14, causing the lens 52 to display ared light while the lens il would continue to display yellow; one ormore of the lenses l, il or it would also display red, depending uponthe switch or switches closed. Under normal operating conditions, andwith the engine temperature within the normal operating range, thesemaphore 55 would assume the posi tion shown in Figure l5 while thelight intercept ers itil, l i, and di and semaphore ill would assume theposition shown in Figure il?, causing a subdued green light to bedisplayed at 'telltale indie cator B of Figure 2 while the four sourceindicaters or" C, 'iigure 2, would be darkened. As soon as one or moreof the included units ceases to function properly, the telltaleindicator B would display av bright red light, also one or more oi thesource indicators oi C would display a red light, depending upon theunit or units not iunctioning properly.

.The operation oi the indicators shown in the panel assembly of Figure 3is similar to that of Figure 2, with the exception that the indicatorsD, E, li', and G replace the source indicator unit C. The indicator'unit B oi' Figure 3 is identical to the indicator unit B oi Figure 2.

lt is apparent that l have provided a single telltale indicator, easilyreadable ata glance, in- Jforming the operator by means oi coloredlights of different intensities whether or not a plurality of associatedunits are functioning properly, and have associated with the singletelltale indicator, source indicators normally darkened and becomingilluminated only when the corresponding unit is not functioning properlyand the single telltale indicator is displaying the warning signal,there-u by automatically attracting the attention ci the operator whenit is needed.

Obviously the speciiic relative arrangement of parts shown and describedmay be cl'ianged and varied to adapt the same for various installationsand uses, depending upon the type of vehicle, airplane or other unit theindicator is installed upon and the associated units the properfunctioning of which it is desirable to have an indication, withoutdeparting from the scope of the invenm tion as indicated by the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim is:

l. In an indicating system, arsource of electril cal supply, a telltalelamp connected to said supn ply, a semaphore having a plurality ofdifferent colored lenses adapted to register with said telltale lamp, aplurality of solenoids connected in separate parallel sub-circuits tosaid supply, separate means to complete each oi said sub-cir-x cuits,means associated with each of said solenoids to give a visual indicationof the presence or absence of current flow inthe respective subcircuitby altering the visual eHect of said telltale lamp, and means to movesaid semaphore to a predetermined position whenever any one vof certainoi said sub-circuits is closed.

2. lin an indicating system, a source of electrical supply, a telltalelamp connected to said supply, a semaphore having a plurality of diier=ent colored lenses adapted to register with said telltale lamp, aplurality of solenoids connected in separate parallel sub-,circuits tosaid supply, separate means to complete each oi said sub-cirq cuits,means associated with yeach ci said solenoids to give a visualindication oi? the presence or absence oi current dow in the respectivesubcircuit by altering the visual eiect of said telltale lamp, one ofsaid means being common to two of said solenoids, said means beinginiluenced by both so as to stand in one position when one solenoid isenergized and in another position when the other solenoid is energized,and means to move said semaphore to a predetermined position wheneverany one of certain of said sub circuits is closed.

3. In an indicating system, a source of electrical supply, a telltalelamp connected to said supply, a pivotally mounted semaphore having aplurality of different colored lenses adapted to register with saidtelltale lamp, a plurality of solenoids connected in separate parallelcircuits to said supply, separate means to complete each of parallelcircuits, armatures associated with each solenoid and movable thereby,means carried by each armature to give a visual indication of thepresence or absence 'of current ow in each of said parallel sub-circuitsby changing the visual effect of said telltale light, a pin carried bysaid semaphore and an extension carried by each armature adapted tostrike and move said pin and rotate said semaphore whenever any one ofcertain of said solenoids is energized whereby said semaphore is causedto assume a predetermined position and present a different colored lensto said telltale light.

4. In an indicating system, a source of electrical supply, a telltalelamp connected to said supply, a main circuit having an indicatorsolenoid therein, an armature normally standing in one position andmovable by said solenoid to another predetermined position, a semaphoreactuated by said armature and having a plurality of different coloredlenses adapted to register with said telltale lamp, a plurality ofsolenoids connected in parallel sub-circuits with said main circuit andin series with said indicator solenoid, separate means to complete eachof said sub-circuits, means including an armature associated with thesolenoid in each of said sub-circuits to give a visual indication of thepresence or absence of current flow in the respectiver sub-circuit byaltering the visual eiect of said telltale lamp, and a circuit inparallel with said main circuit having a solenoid and a switch inseries, said last named solenoid being associated with an armaturecommon to one of the solenoids of said parallel sub-circuits.

5. In an indicating system, a source of electrical supply, a telltalelamp connected to said supply. a magnetically operated indicator havinga pair of coils connected in parallel to said supply and a commonarmature influenced by the relative current ilow in said coils andbiased to stand in a predetermined position when the current flow inboth said coils is normal, movable to an other predetermined positionwhen the current ilow in one of said coils is greater than normal and toanother predetermined position when the current ow in the other coils isgreater than normal, a semaphore carried by said armature and having aplurality oi diierent colored lenses adapted to register with saidtelltale lamp in each of said predetermined armature positions, aplurality of solenoids connected in separate parallel sub-circuits andin series with one of the coils of said telltale indicator, separatemeans to complete each of said parallel circuits to cause current toflow through the respective solenoids, a solenoid in series with thesecond of the coils of said indicator, means to complete the circuitthrough said last named solenoid, and means including armaturesassociated with each oi said solenoids to give a visual indication ofthe presence or absence of current ow in each of said parallelsub-circuits by altering the visual effect of said telltale lamp.

6. In an indicating system, a source of electrical supply, a telltalelamp connected to said supply, a magnetically operated indicator havinga pair of coils connected in parallel to said supply and a commonarmature influenced by the relative current ow in said coils and biasedto stand in a predetermined position when the current ow in both saidcoils is normal, movable to another predetermined position when thecurrent flow in one of said coils is greater than normal and to anotherpredetermined position when the current ov/ in the other coil is greaterthan normal, a semaphore carried by said armature and having a pluralityof different colored lenses adapted to register with said telltale lampin each of said predetermined armature positions, a plurality ofsolenoids connected in separate parallel sub-circuits and in series withone of the coils of said telltale indicator, separate means to completeeach of said parallel circuits to cause current to flow through therespective solenoids, a solenoid in series with the second of vthe coilsof said indicator, means to complete the circuit through said last namedsolenoid, and means including armatures associated with each of saidsolenoids to give a visual indication of the presence or absence ofcurrent ow in each of said parallel sub-circuits by altering the visualeilect of said telltale lamp, one of said last named means including anarmature common to two of said solenoids and influenced by both so as tostand in one position when one solenoid is energized and in anotherposition when the other solenoid is energized.

TEODORE W. HALLERBERG.

